Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying has been linked to depression, anxiety, social isolation, and suicide. Compared to “traditional” forms of bullying, cyberbullying can be witnessed by a larger audience, the perpetrator can remain anonymous, and the victim may find it difficult to escape.

Social media platforms have taken steps to address cyberbullying (such as Facebook’s “bullying prevention hub”), and almost all social media content can be reported to site administrators. But many victims don’t seek support, and research suggests 71% of young people don’t think social media platforms do enough to prevent cyberbullying.

Cyberbullying can be witnessed by a larger audience, the perpetrator can remain anonymous, and the victim may find it difficult to escape.from www.shutterstock.com

This can be made worse by the social endorsement provided by the number of “likes” a post might get. In one study, nearly one-fifth of respondents said they’d delete a post if it didn’t receive enough “likes”.

The reach, cost-effectiveness, and accessibility of social media means information, support, or treatment can reach people who might not otherwise have easy access. Clinical services are beginning to harness the benefits of social media to augment the care they provide. For example, colleagues at Orygen developed an online platform for clients and their families to augment face-to-face treatment. It has been trialled with promising results.

For example, Facebook recently launched “proactive detection” artificial intelligence technology that will scan all posts for patterns of suicidal thoughts, and when necessary send mental health resources to the user or their friends, or contact local first-responders.

But there are ethical implications, which include privacy and duty of care. Social media’s rapidly evolving nature, reach and anonymity make rigorous evaluation of its risks and benefits challenging.

Does Facebook have a duty of care to its users?from www.shutterstock.com

Chicken or egg?

Most studies examining social media and mental health aren’t able to determine whether spending more time on social media leads to depression or anxiety, or if depressed or anxious young people spend more time on social media.

The pathways to mental illness are many and varied, and to suggest mental health problems can be attributed to social media alone would be an over-simplification. But we need to acknowledge the risks and platform administrators, parents, mental health organisations, schools and universities, and young people themselves have a role to play in minimising these risks.

It’s unlikely social media use will decrease in the near future, so we need to manage the risks and harness the potential benefits to improve the mental health of our young people.

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5 Comments

Yes. I also read a lot of studies concerning how socmed is affecting the society and the users nowadays. One should really be responsible in using social media and must learn how to control it. I admit, being a mom, I must imposed strict gadget use so that my baby won’t practiced using social media early on. I hope I can keep this up for his sake.

Social media is good to connect with others.Specially popular social media such as Facebook gave the opportunity to reconnect with school friends,teachers and other friends which we lost contact.However,nowadays these social media doesn’t sound good and exciting at all.Earlier we enjoyed sharing posts,adding true comments and so on with friends and even with brands.But,nowadays with things called ‘Social media marketing’,we cant believe products or big brands at all.Working as a blogger,I don’t believe such marketing unless I try the products on my own or hearing the good from my family and products.Finally,social media is all about advertising and marketing with many disadvantages to the community.

This was very informative. SM does have its side effects both positive and negative ones. I am in favour of the application that helps detect suicidal tendencies in posts. I know there is a thin line of privacy getting violated there but all in good cause.

The very same reason that I seldom visit Facebook. I just read a few posts linking that to blog posts . It’s reality that we display what’s beautiful and attractive. Most are edited already, wanting to get the approval and nod of spectators. As there may be no right and wrong about this practice, I just find it so unreal. I prefer those that show spontaneity and sincerity.

I find it sad whenever I see posts on social media that’s full of negativity and victim blaming. I just hope people will become more responsible and constructive. I’ve unfollowed a lot of friends on facebook to lessen the bad vibes.